After its controversial Game 1 loss, San Miguel scored three straight wins against TNT in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.
For San Miguel, there is probably no motivation as great as its stinging loss to TNT in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals opener.
The controversial finish to that match lit a fire in the Beermen that allowed them to snag three straight wins and close in on reclaiming the All-Filipino title with a 105-91 win in Game 4 Sunday, July 20.
“I think the biggest impact is our first game. It fuels our grit,” said SMB coach Leo Austria, referring to their controversial Game 1 defeat where Mo Tautuaa’s supposed go-ahead dunk got waived off in the dying seconds.
“You can see naman on the players, in their eyes, makikita mo 'yong fire. They want to win.”
[RELATED STORY: What San Miguel needs to do to reclaim PBA Philippine Cup glory against TNT Tropang 5G]
That fire was evident in Jericho Cruz, who turned in 23 points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Of his total output, 15 were made in the fourth period where San Miguel pulled away from a tight contest.
[ALSO READ: June Mar Fajardo claims 12th PBA Best Player of the Conference award, 2nd this season]
Cruz, however, insisted the Beermen's Game 1 nightmare was no longer in his mind.
"Unang-una, sayang ang pagkatalo namin noon kasi akala namin, we had a chance to win the game,” Cruz said.
“Pero tapos na 'yon. Nag-move on na kami doon. Pagpasok namin, paglaro namin, talagang put that in your head na every game is your last game," he added.
Jericho Cruz (middle) stars in San Miguel's pivotal Game 4 win over TNT. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Cruz did not have to carry the burden alone. He got plenty of help from Cjay Perez and June Mar Fajardo, who put the finishing touches to the pulsating win.
Perez supplied 16 points, three rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, while Fajardo added another all-around outing of 15 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Jordan Heading and Pogoy tried to pump life into the Tropang 5G's flickering hopes in the homestretch, but there were only so much that they could do.
Heading paced TNT with 23 points on four triples and dished out five assists.
Kelly Williams had 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and a block, while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser addded 14 points and seven boards.
Pogoy scored 11 points.
San Miguel vs. TNT scores:
SAN MIGUEL 105 – Cruz 23, Perez 16, Fajardo 15, Trollano 11, Lassiter 10, Tiongson 8, Ross 7, Teng 6, Tautuaa 4, Calma 3, Brondial 2, Cahilig 0.
TNT 91 – Heading 23, Williams 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Oftana 11, Pogoy 11, Khobuntin 7, Erram 6, Vosotros 3, Nieto 0, Heruela 0.
Quarterscores: 21-23, 45-37, 64-67, 105-91.